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Bartlett Tree Experts has made another substantial investment in
Canadas tree service industry.According to the companys
Victoria-based division manager, an agreement for the purchase of
Cypress Tree & Landscaping was been finalized last fall.
We wanted to expand to West Vancouver and North Vancouver and
this opens that up for us, Noah Violini says.
The owner (Bruce Larson) had established a good company and hes
come on board with us . . . One of the reasons he wanted to sell
was that he built his company as big as he could and he needed
support to grow further.
Larson is to continue on in a management capac-ity and all 15
employees are to remain on the payroll. The focus of Cypress had
been tree care and land-
scaping. With Bartletts purchases, pest and disease management
and soil management will be added to the service list.
Bartlett offers a benefit package for its employees and there
are training opportunities, Violini notes.
Barlett now has locations in 26 states and in British Columbia
and Ontario. The company was founded in 1907 by Francis A. Bartlett
and continues to be a family-owned business.
Bartlett maintains a 350-acre research property at Charlotte,
North Carolina where a laboratory and team of diagnostic experts
are stationed. According to Ken Karp, vice-president of marketing
and public relations, Bartlett works closely with public
institu-tions to move the tree service industry forward.
The company is growing.Along with its purchase of Cypress Tree
& Land-
scaping, Bartlett purchased a small tree service busi-ness at
Duncan, British Columbia. There have also been recent acquisitions
in the US.
Purchase gives access to West and North Vancouver markets
B Y J E F F R E Y C A R T E R
The economic downturn hasnt left Canadas tree service industry
unscathed but the situation is much worse in the US.
Across Canada, some compa-nies have seen a decline in calls
while others have noticed their customers are spending more time
looking for low-bid compa-nies.
The situation in the US may be even more challenging.
For the residential and com-mercial jobs, it is literally all
over the map. In some states, like Florida and Michigan, tree
service businesses are definitely hurting, says Mark Garvin, chief
program officer with the Tree Care Industry Association in New
Hampshire.
Those states have special regional concerns.
Theres a glut of new tree service businesses in Florida, many of
which were founded in response to hurricanes which struck the state
in recent years. In Michigan, there have been many manufacturing
job lossesespecially in the auto sector.
Garvin also points to declin-ing consumer confidence in the face
of the housing crisis, the
stock market meltdown and gen-eral uncertainly for the
future.
People are being careful of their cash. Cash is king. Unless a
tree falls on their house, most people are saying, lets hold back
on spending, Garvin says.
In some areas, business is booming. That includes Ohio where a
lot of storm damage occurred in the wake of the Sep-tember
hurricane that passed through, Garvin says. Many companies across
the US that specialize in utility work are also doing well,
especially those that contracted work when fuel prices were
high.
In Canada, there is also con-cern, but there are also some
company owners who feel their businesses, so far, have been
unaf-fected.
Along the west coast, Noah Violini of Bartlett Tree Experts
points to a modest decline in business. When it comes to cos-metic
tree service work, people may be less inclined to open their
wallets, he says.
Glen Warren of A-1 Tree Service at Halifax, Nova Scotia says hes
coming off his best year in the past 15 but feels people are
reacting to the economic uncer-
Tree service industry sidesteps worst of economic
downturnAnticipate tougher competition, price-minded
customers if economy fails to rebound
B Y J E F F R E Y C A R T E R
PointTipping
Bartlett buys Vancouver company
Experienced crane operators know that trees are not just wood.
There is a significant weight in leaves/needles, bark, roots and
the soil that adheres to the roots. See story on page 10.
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Page 2 TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
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Page 3TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
in the news
B Y PAT K E R R
askatchewan was the first province in Canada to start trapping
for the Banded elm
bark beetle, Scolytus schevyrewi Semenov, in 2004. In 2007, this
invasive species was found in 5 of the 10 areas where traps were
established. Traps are identical to those currently used to monitor
native elm bark beetle--the main insect vector for Dutch elm
dis-ease (DED) in the prairies.
With the beetle known in 21 states, the areas chosen to moni-tor
for banded elm bark beetle included communities from the east to
west. Positive results were in Estevan, Weyburn, Moose Jaw,
Assiniboia, and Maple
Creek. (They were not discov-ered, as reported in the last issue
of Tree Service Canada, in Sas-katoon.) The 2008 Saskatchewan
program increased the number of traps in these communities. The
plan is to determine if the posi-tive results indicate chance finds
or if there is an established/establishing population in the area.
Traps were also set in Sas-katoon and more northern areas to
attempt to locate the northern edge of the range. The 2008
trap-ping results will not be available until spring of 2009.
Dr. Rory McIntosh, of Sas-katchewan Ministry of Environ-ment
Forest Service Branch says, they are taking steps to start a
research project with the Uni-
versity of Manitoba to determine behaviour, ecology and other
bio-logical factors of the insect under Canadian conditions.
Details of the insects flight ability, overwin-tering behaviour,
and develop-ment under our conditions are needed to guide a
science-based management response.
Saskatchewan, Ministry of Environment started their DED program
in the 1980s and this continues. But more informa-tion must be
obtained to adapt management activities to control this new threat
to Saskatchewan forests.
The plan is to determine if the earlier positive results in
tests for the banded elm bark beetle indicate chance finds or if
there is an established/establishing population in the area.
Banded Elm Bark Beetle In SaskatchewanWhere it is and where it
isnt
CLARIF ICAT ION
While theres probably no one reason for the mys-terious near
absence of white oak acorns in Torontos urban forest, climate
change may be a key consideration.
At least thats the opinion of Jack Radecki, executive direc-tor
of the Ontario Urban Forest Council.
These white oaks need a specific temperature regime when theyre
pollinating in the spring. There has to warm weather when the
flowers are out followed by cool weather.
In the Toronto area, flowering occurs around mid-May. For a
bumper crop of acorns, 10 warms
days during the flowering period followed by 13 to 20 cool days
is optimal.
According to the US Forest Service, sporadic acorn
production
in white oak is normal and good crops generally only occur every
four to 10 years. Several years may pass without a crop at all.
Still, foresters and biologists in the Toronto area have been
expressing concern. Theres anec-dotal evidence of abundant acorn
crops 20 years ago.
Radecki feels lower than normal rainfall may be having an
impactalong with squirrels which prefer acorns from the white
oakQuercus albaover other species. Squirrels often eat white oak
acorns immediately upon finding them rather than putting them into
storage.
Gavin Miller, a biologist with
the Toronto Region Conservation Area also points to the squirrel
impact but has other theories.
The few white oak acorns produced in recent years that
have managed to germinate face a great deal of competition from
such species as Manitoba maple, Siberian elm, Tatarian honey suckle
and white ash. In addition, higher soil nitrogen levels may be
providing a boost to the competi-tors.
White oak regeneration is also associated with fire. Miller
sug-gests propagation could be sup-ported by direct seeding into
suit-able sites, prescribed burns and the removal of aggressive
woody competitors.
Miller says hes also discov-ered a few isolated examples of
white oaks that did produce a fair amount of seed in the past year.
These include trees at Casa Loma, a few near the George
Bell arena near the downtown core and the old white oak at the
Royal Ontario Museum.
The uncertainty about the sit-uation has meant Radecki, Miller
and others are taking a wait-and-see approach. A continued absence
of acorns over the next few years in the Toronto area and in such
locations as Washington, DC. and parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania
may be an indica-tion of a real problem.
White oaks grow through-out most of the Eastern United States,
much of Southern Ontario and in southwestern corner of Quebec. Many
of the worlds largest white oaks are in Mary-land and Delaware.
Where have all the acorns gone?Mystery surrounds sudden drop in
white oak acorn production B Y J E F F R E Y C A R T E R
The few white oak acorns produced in recent years that have
managed to germinate face a great deal of
competition from such species as Manitoba maple, Siberian elm,
Tatarian honey suckle and white ash.
A continued absence of white oak acorns over the next few years
in the Toronto area and in such locations as Washington, DC. and
parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania may be an indica-tion of a real
problem.
NATURAL CYCLE OR CL IMATE CHANGE?
Jack Radecki, executive director of the Ontario Urban Forest
Council, says that while theres probably no one reason for the
mysterious near absence of white oak acorns in Torontos urban
forest, climate change may be a key consideration.
S
-
Page 4 TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
in the news
www.treeservicecanada.ca
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Tree Service Canada is published four times a year by Southern
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economic downturn continued from covertainty and fears of a
worldwide recession.
Id say definitely, without a doubt, people are not as will-ing
to spend money . . . All the negative news that you heardpeople
listened to it . . . tree service is only essential when things
really need to be done.
The situation does need to be put into perspective. The approach
of winter has always been associated with a decline in tree service
work.
Garvin and others feel the impact of the economy down-turn will
not be fully under-stood until February and March when people begin
booking spring work.
There are also some business owners who say theyre as busy as
ever.
At Edmonton, Alta, Craig Jabs of Alberta Arborists and James
Ladouceur of Active Tree Service says the economic slow-down hasnt
affected them at all.
Jabs, who sits on the Prairie Chapter of the International
Society of Arboriculture, has heard of considerable concern in the
US but says the economic downturn has yet to impact tree service in
his oil-rich province.
In Winnipeg, Man, Jerry Werestiuk of Kildonan Tree Service Ltd.,
runs as many as
13 cutting crews and has been in the business for 36 years. He
doesnt expect economic worries will have much of an impact on his
business.
We dont notice it here (the economic downturn). Our economy is
good. We have lots of things going on in Winnipeg and Manitoba,
Werestiuk says.
Were focused on what matters. We take care of whats in front of
us.
Its a similar story for Al Miley of Al Miley & Associates in
Toronto, Ontario.
Miley has been in the tree service business since 1980, runs
three crews and advertises extensively.
Ive already been through a couple of recessions and what I tell
the younger fellows in the
business isthe green industry (arboriculture, horticulture,
etc.) is not affected, Miley says.
Most of the clients we deal with are in their homes already and
often the homes are paid for. They like to maintain their
properties and do the upkeep.
Miley, whos making some substantial equipment invest-ments,
feels tree service provid-ers will have a better handle on the
situation by next spring.
Two other Toronto tree service operators, Erik Bostrm
of Viking Tree Service and Jor-dan Dobbs of Napoleon Tree
Service are somewhat less opti-mistic.
Dobbs says hes only been in the business for a year.
Were still getting a fair number of calls but more cus-tomers
are pushing on lower bids, he says.
Bostrm says hes made a few adjustments.
The calls have dropped and Ive dropped the prices by 30 per
cent. But the prices have been high for the past couple years.
Theyve gone up by 50 per cent and so dropping the price is not so
bad . . . Discre-tionary spending typically dries up in times of
uncertainty.
Bostrm has been operating his tree service business on a
fulltime basis for 10 years. He runs as many as two crews.
Noah Violini, of Bartlett Tree Experts, In Victoria, BC, notes a
modest decline in business. When it comes to cosmetic tree service
work, people may be less inclined to open their wallets, he
says.
Ive already been through a couple of recessions and what I tell
the younger fellows in the business
isthe green industry is not affected, Al Miley, Al Miley &
Associates, Toronto, Ont.
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The first 10 people who register for a scheduled course anywhere
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Go to www.ArborCanada.com to see full training schedule. (not to
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Your privacy is important to us. Occasionally we make our
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[email protected].
-
Page 5TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
Twenty-five or thirty years ago employee incentive programs were
simpleyou did a good job and you got to keep your job.
Gone are those days, said Gerard Fournier, owner of For Trees at
Didsbury Alta, and boss to 12 workers. Your reward was the pay
cheque. You got lots of negative feedback when things went poorly
but basically top level performance was just expected of us.
But employees really respond well to perks, he said. Hes given
cash bonuses, employee discounts on items from the For Trees tree
farm and nursery and he has also paid Alberta Health care for his
employees.
At Calgary, Jim Fisher president of Arborcare, with 100
employees, gives tickets to Flames, Stampeders and Calgary
Roughnecks lacrosse games while
his Edmonton workers receive tickets to hockey, football and
lacrosse pro games in their city.
Clarence Talbot, owner of Tree Works, Halifaxs largest
residential tree service company
employs four to seven workers and has employed as many as
seventeen. He gives cash bonuses to his employees at Christmas and
as a special reward if theyve worked long hours or completed a
difficult job. These are based on performance, he said, but he also
thinks its only fair to share the wealth. If he does well
financially on a job, his workers should get
a piece of that too. He also gives climbing gear and gift
certificates as a way of rewarding good work.
All three employers pay for job training for their employees.
Increased knowledge and confi-
dence in the workplace are clear benefits of employee training
but theyre not the only ones. Fourni-er sees an increase in
productiv-ity and safety as another posi-tive consequence. And it
also improves camaraderie, he said.
Every month one of the Arborcare employees is chosen to be the
recipient of the Happy Arborist award. We pick one of
the field people who has run some pretty good numbers; passed
all the safety issues; done an all around good job and maybe had
letters of recog-nition from clients, Fisher said. That person gets
a gift cer-tificate from Marks Work Wearhouse to buy clothes.
Fourniers Tree-via contests are also monthly. If employees
answer a question cor-rectly, along with their pay cheque theyll
receive a small prize. Its just a token thing, he said, a pen
knife, or maybe a toque, something from a supplier. It didnt really
cost any-thing but it gets people involved; they talk amongst
themselves about it. It just keeps people engaged and involved.
They feel like theyre part of the team.
Helping workers to feel like theyre part of the team is just one
of the results employers see when they offer perks to their
employ-ees. Fisher said he believed in rewarding good work and
perks
are a motivator.The most important asset
you have in your company is your employees, said Talbot so you
do whatever you have to do to keep them happy and sometimes its
perks of one type or another.
At the same time employ-ees should keep in mind that an employer
isnt obliged to give perks. When the employee just takes it for
granted the fun of giv-ing is gone. They should always remember to
say thanks, he said.
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The role of perks & incentivesWhat goes around comes aroundB
Y S H I R L E Y B Y E R S
Helping workers to feel like theyre part of the team is just one
of the results employers see when
they offer perks to their employees. Rewarding good work is also
a motivator.
Gerard Fournier, owner of For Trees at Didsbury Alta, uses perks
to maintain a team spirit among the dozen or so employees that work
for his company.
RETAIN ING EMPLOYEES
ACCIDENT REPORTS
NB Tree Service Ltd, of Cal-gary, pleaded guilty on March 31,
2008 in Alberta to failing to ensure the health and safety of
workers. This was the result of an accident in Sept 2005 when two
workers were felling trees and one worker, age 21, was struck
breaking his leg and wrist. The worker required sur-gery. Fines
totaled $75,700.50. This included $70,000 to the Olds College
Fund.
The investigation following the close call in Beaverton, Ont
where the boom of a truck, lifting a tree, toppled into a house is
complete. No charges were laid. The cause was that the load chart
for tree weights did not account for water uptake by poplar tree in
spring of year, which can cause this tree to be much heavier than
tree tables indi-cates. No orders were issued.
In July, 2008 a trained New Brunswick worker was trim-ming trees
in an overhead bucket along power lines when his arm came in
contact with a low voltage line (120 v). The worker sustained a
burn. The incident follow up report stated: That where work that
may bring any person or object closer to an energized electrical
utility line or utility line equip-ment than the distances
speci-fied in subsection (1) or (2), an employer shall contact the
authority owning or operat-ing the electrical utility line or
utility line equipment and shall
ensure that the electrical utility line or utility line
equipment is de-energized, or is adequately insulated or guarded
before permitting the employee to commence the work.
In Northwest New Brunswick in September, 2008 a worker was
cutting a tree when a dead limb caught in the tree branches. The
limb fell and struck him in the head. He died later that evening in
hos-pital from head trauma. The incident is being reviewed by the
Fatality Review Commit-tee. Public information is not available
until this investiga-tion is complete.
The RCMP and Work Safe BC investigated and incident in October,
2008 in the park-ing lot of the Canlan ice rink in North Vancouver
where Burley Boys Tree Service Ltd. was working. A 140-foot-tall
Douglas fir tree was felled into a parking lot. It landed on a
vehicle passing by through the fall zone. The lone occupant of the
vehicle was not seri-ously injured but was taken by ambulance to
Lions Gate Hospital. The incident report found access to the
parking lot was not flagged or barricaded. In addition to the
previous investigations the employer was ordered to complete their
own investigation. The RCMP confirmed their investigation is
complete and no criminal charges were laid.
Alta, Ont. accident investigations complete
-
Page 6 TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
news
B Y R E B E CC A FAT E R
he Eugenia Place high rise in Vancouver, BCs well-heeled West
End is an attractive
landmark that sits on English Bay. The building is surrounded by
manicured grounds and a sweeping 360-degree view. The most
eye-catching feature of the landscape, however, is a 37-foot-high
pin oak sprouting from the buildings roof, more than 200 feet from
the ground.
Last June, when the oak needed attention, a single, scary
thought flashed through the mind of arborist John Martyn when the
Eugenia Place property manager found his number in the local
yel-low pages and called him.
What does a fall from (approximately) 200 feet feel like? Martyn
recalls wondering.
The pin oak, Quercus palus-tris, is technically the highest, if
not tallest, tree in Vancouver, thanks to its lofty placement.
The oak is a nod to the sites purest, earliest existence: the
old-growth trees that stood on the shore of the English Bay before
loggers made their mark on the land. The buildings architect
thought it would be fitting to have a tree up at the same height as
the old-growth forest. Old growth cedar, spruce and Doug-las-fir
were commonly 200 to 250 tallsome even taller.
Understanding that the old-growth trees were likely Doug-las-fir
and cedar, the architect deliberately chose a non-native deciduous
oak, realizing that he needed a tree able to with-stand the strong
winds and wild weather likely to accompany life at 200 feet. The
pin oak was 15 years old when construction began on Eugenia Place.
The tree was planted on the roof in 1987 and packed down with
100,000 pounds of soil.
But, while a good deal of thought went into the tree itself,
there was one piece of the vision that builders neglected to
con-sider: the chore of caring for it.
The trees well-being became a serious question after brutal wind
storms whipped through Vancouver in December 2006 and January 2007,
dealing massive damage to trees and buildings across the region.
Nearby Stanley Park had more than 10,000 trees downed by the wind
storms.
Enter Martyn, owner of JPM Tree Service in Vancouver, who has
never fallen more than seven feet on a job and never seriously
injured himself. And he decided to push his luck a bit farther.
Steeling his nerves and scaling
Eugenia Places 19 floors, Martyn was surprised to learn that
gaz-ing at the tree from the ground is quite a different experience
from standing right next to it.
Strangely enough, when you get up on the roof, its nothing
spectacular, he says. If you put that tree on the street or in
front of a home, its just a regular tree. But up in the sky it
looks huge! Its an optical illusion.
Martyns, initial inspec-tion found no significant wind damagea
testament to the oaks wiry nature. He did, however, discover some
minor caterpil-
lar feeding and an infestation of Leucanium scale, an insect
that damages the tree by sucking juice from its leaves. Then there
was the matter of pruning the tree, which grows out of a metal pot
approximately 3 feet deep in the roof, its crown blossoming out
into the wide blue nothingness.
Its the fear that keeps you alive and makes you check and double
check every piece of equipment you have, says Mar-tyn, who
describes any ascension higher than 40 feet as the Mount Everest
zone. If you fall (from
anything as high as 40 feet), youre going to have a serious
injury.
The first pruning Martyn performed last September proved to be a
painstaking exercise in patiencedue not only to the trees high
perch, but also the fact that the only access to it is through the
penthouse apart-ment and patio where the tree is planted.
With the assistance of a ground man, Martyn pruned about 15
percent of the tree and cut the waste into one- to two-foot lengths
to fit into a garbage
pail. That pail then had to be schlepped down a set of stairs
with a glass railing, out the suites front door and down the
elevator. Unhappily for the ground man, there was enough waste to
fill 20 garbage pails.
And just in case the height wasnt enough to make Martyns nerves
quake, the pressure of car-ing for the most notable tree in the
city was an extra reason to swallow hard.
Its extremely well known, says Paul Montpellier, Vancou-vers
city arborist. It has quite a
jarring effect as you drive down there and notice it.
But all the skill in the world wont make the oak last forever.
Martyn predicts the trees dwell-ing place will spell an early end
to its existence. The oak is naturally programmed to grow 100 feet
tall, but the pot will likely prove too small to allow much growth
beyond its present size, he says.
It definitely has a limited life span, says Martyn. I just say,
Were treating the patient. And the patient isnt going to live
forever.
In addition to the pruning, Martyn plans a spring and sum-mer
watering regime to prevent heat stress to the tree, and will apply
a dormant oil spray in early spring to address the scale. He
will only resort to spraying with insecticide if the scale
population continues to thrive through the summer.
He says the tree is part of Vancouvers folklore. People come up
to me and say, Oh, I asked my wife to marry me under that tree. Its
famous.
For Martyn, the climb and the risk is worth every bit of
effort.
I hate heights, but I love views, he says. And its a view to die
for.
This article originally ran in the March 2008 issue of Tree Care
Industry magazine, and it is reprinted here with permission of the
Tree Care Industry Association.
Photos courtesy of John Martyn, unless otherwise noted.
Caring for the highest tree in VancouverArborist John Martyn
answers a unique call
The 37-foot pin oak sits 19 floors, about 200 feet, above Beach
Avenue in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The pin oak, Quercus palustris, is technically the highest,
if
not tallest, tree in Vancouver, thanks to its lofty
placement.
John Martyn with the pin oak, which has a view to die for,
according to Martyn.
T
-
Page 7TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
The view from the base of the pin oak, 19 floors up.
If and when anything should happen to the current tree, shown
here being planted in 1987, it would have to be replaced by order
of the original building permit issued by the citys planning
department. Photo courtesy of Henriquez Partners Architects.
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Page 8 TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
Risk assessment is future based. It aims to predict which trees,
or component parts of any one tree, will fail within any one time
frame. Pre-diction of future events is seldom simple. We can say
with certainty that all trees will fail and fall; they always have
and they always will. There is much less certainty about when this
event will hap-pen, and under what circum-stances.
Estimating probability of failure relies very heavily on the
knowledge, training, and above all, experience, of the assessor.
Extensive training and knowledge is a starting point. New research
and better knowledge is constant-ly emerging, and as a result, what
we learned in the past is con-stantly being challenged, refined,
and sometimes confounded. Experience is gained by translat-
ing training into practice. Increas-ing experience in risk
assessment enables the assessor to better understand the many
factors affecting any one tree, or group of trees. But, no matter
how much experience the assessor has, every one of us still has to
deal with the element of uncertainty.
Risk levels extend over a spec-
trum from very low to very high. We can model that conceptually
in a simple chart, as in Figure 1. For this example, the chart
fol-lows a standard bell curve of distribution. In practice the
shape of the curve varies considerably. Once we gain experience
with types of failure by species, climate patterns, site
conditions, and other attributes, our knowledge and understanding
improves, and to some extent, our discomfort with uncertainty
lessens. For the novice, a lack of experience produces large
amounts of uncer-tainty about how to interpret the externally
visible symptoms of a tree, simply because they have no other
reference point for com-parison. The experienced assessor may well
examine the same tree and undertake detailed tests, and make
interpretations that lead to very different predictions, result-ing
in a risk level that is lower or higher. Either person will face
the challenge of seeing and reading the body language of the tree,
and interpreting the biomechanical implications, although the
factors of concern to the novice may be quite different from those
of con-cern to the expert.
Risk assessment is further complicated by time. Risk assess-ment
conclusions are based on the information available at the time of
the assessment. Because our knowledge of how any one tree will
perform in the future is limited, our ability to accurately predict
future risk is also limited. As the length of time increases from
the point of assessment, so too does the amount of uncer-tainty
inherent in the prediction. Over the lifespan of a tree we would
reasonably expect that it should be relatively simple to predict
probability of failure when the tree is young and vigor-ous; we
would probably predict that failure is not likely. As the
tree reaches middle age, assorted biological and mechanical
issues become more likely, but when these will lead to failure is
often difficult to know. Of course, as the tree gets really old and
close to the point where it is ready to die, the ease of predicting
failure gets easier once again, because the biomechanical features
of the tree get easier to see and interpret. Figure 2 shows this
concept. At all stages of the lifespan we face
some uncertainty about our pre-dictions, and it is unlikely that
we will always be correct. Predicting risk issues in a short time
frame has less uncertainty than those made for several years or
even longer time frames (which is why the competent assessor
understands the use of well defined limiting clauses in the
assessment report). We have no means of knowing how the weather,
environmental condi-tions, site changes, and the trees response to
any of these will occur in future years. That creates huge
uncertainty in our predic-tions, and as a result, the assess-ment
is most valid on the day it was undertaken, and may become
increasingly less valid over time, as the situation changes.
Since uncertainty is inevitable,
we deal with it best by recogniz-ing its existence and
incorporat-ing it into the risk assessment process. By far and away
the best approach comes with experience examining trees that have
already failed. That knowledge will be greatly enhanced by
understand-ing the basic principles of tree biology and mechanics,
the prop-erties and growth patterns of trees throughout their
entire lifespan, and by ensuring that all risk
assessments incorporate a clear recognition of what we do and do
not know. Of course, it is tempt-ing to be so conservative about
risk that we always err on the side of caution. But, large numbers
of trees have been cut down far too soon, simply because the
assessor lacked the confidence to deal with uncertainty. And yes,
there are undoubtedly some trees that were retained after a risk
assessment that should have been removed, although this is not that
common if the risk assessor is competent. Developing expert skills
at deal-ing with uncertainty takes time, but it is not impossible.
Recog-nise it, understand it, and then integrate it into the
assessment process and your risk assessment results.
Trees & the LawB Y J U L I A N D U N S T E R
Dealing with UncertaintySince uncertainty is inevitable, it is
best dealt with by recognizing its existence and incorporating it
into the risk assessment process
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Figure 2: As the tree gets really old and close to the point
where it is ready to die, the ease of predicting failure gets
easier once again, because the biomechanical features of the tree
get easier to see and interpret.
Figure 1: Risk levels extend over a spectrum from very low to
very high.
New research and better knowledge is constantly emerging, and as
a
result, what we learned in the past is constantly being
challenged, refined,
and sometimes confounded.
-
Page 9TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
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Collection and storage of seed is a way of preserving plant
genetic material. Seeds are the product of genera-tions of parent
plants evolutionary adapta-tions. These adaptations are specific to
the plants natural habitat. Every habitat has specific pest and
environmental pressures that directly affect the development of the
plants growing within the habitat.
Every seed encases its unique version of traits to survive
within its habitat. The biodiversity of the seed and the habitat
allow for natural selection of the best adapted plants. Pest
pressures and environ-ments continue to fluctuate and currently
there are trends suggesting that changes will be rapid. This
underlines the neces-sity to have diverse genetic material to allow
for a higher variation of adaptations, which in turn allows for the
continuation of the species.
Maintaining a diversity of genetic material in seed banks
protects and distrib-utes plants that are able to better adapt to
changing conditions. Reclamation, refores-tation, agricultural,
horticultural and scien-tific purposes can potentially benefit from
seed banks. Seed bank projects are not unknown and one that is
underway as a protected seed vault is coined the Dooms-day bank in
Norway.
Seed banks are interesting from an academic point of view, but
how can the private horticulturalists or gardeners in
Alberta benefit? To the best of our knowl-edge none of the
large-scale seed banks are open for public access. It is our vision
to promote a public seed bank and exchange at the Olds College. The
seed bank is unofficially started with seeds from trees and shrubs.
It requires public and private interest and support.
Horticulturalists can benefit by having a genetic diverse resource
available.
Our project focus has been on tree and shrub material. Wood
producing plant material, trees and shrubs, are generally longer
lived and provide such benefits as carbon sequestration, animal
habitats, oxygen production, and help reduce heat-ing and cooling
costs by providing shade and wind protection to buildings. Native
and naturalized plant materials produced from seed have less risk
to succumbing to environmental and pest elements. These plants are
able to withstand local weather and pests providing an advantage to
allow
increased survival. The two barriers for a seed bank are seed
availability and woody seed dormancy issues. When stored, woody
seed experiences deep dormancy and often germinates poorly compared
to fresh seed from the previous season. This requires
pregermination treatments to overcome this deep dormancy specific
to each spe-cies; some species require research to solve this
issue.
Olds College currently possesses adequate storage facilities,
knowledge resources, and seed sources to successfully establish and
maintain a public seed bank. Being a public institution with
widespread industry connections and a central Alberta location, the
college is an ideal site for such an operation. The college also
has the capacity to facilitate trials in improv-ing germination of
older seed. One such trial has already been conducted by the
authors in 2008 at the college, indicating that with correct
treatment aged seeds can show germination potential comparable to
fresh seed from the previous season. Genetic diversity offered by
seeds should be made available, to allow everyone to enjoy the
uniqueness and strength that nature provides.
For more information, call Gord Koch 1-403-556-4751
Andrew Bunton is enrolled in the Olds Col-lege Bachelor of
Applied Science (Production Major).Daniel Wirch is enrolled in the
Olds College Bachelor of Applied Science (Land-scape Major) Bunton
and Wirch are currently completing the final year of their program
study which consists of an 8 month directed field study placement
in industry.
The seed bank at Olds College is unoffi-cially started with
seeds from trees and shrubs. However, it requires public and
private interest and support.
Establishment of a seed bank & exchange at Olds College,
AltaStudents propose institution to preserve genetic diversity with
focus on trees and shrubs
B Y A N D R E W B R U N TO N & D A N I E L W I R C H
Olds College currently possesses adequate storage
facilities, knowledge resources, and seed sources to
successfully
establish and maintain a public seed bank.
PRESERVING DIVERS ITY
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Page 10 TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
Cover Story
B Y PAT K E R R
In Ontario in 2008 a crane tipped over smashing into a house
while lifting a poplar. In BC in 2005 a 35 ton crane tipped over
when lifting a 12 foot section of fir. These werent isolated
occurrences. Lifting trees can be dangerous. One tree service
worker who owns his own crane said, I cant sleep at night for
worry. Wayne DeLOrme of Ontario Ministry of Labour said, The
hazards are differ-ent, unique (referring to lifting trees with a
crane compared to cutting a tree). If you have no training it is
easy to say, you are safer but youve introduced new hazards.
In both the examples above the acci-dent investigations
determined the prob-lem was an error in load calculation. It is a
common statement in crane accident reports. It means the operators
underes-timated the weights of the trees, an easy thing to do.
Trees just dont come in stan-dard sizes.
An engineer involved with urban for-estry in Quebec said, You
cant accurately determine a trees weight and they should never be
lifted with a crane for safety. In theory he is correct but in the
real world sometimes a tree has to be lifted.
One western tree service worker described a couple of difficult
removals he faced. A compromised tree fell on top of a school and
in another case a weakened tree fell on to a skylight of a million
dollar home. In his opinion rappelling down onto the tree and
lifting it with a crane was far safer then climbing a widow
maker.
First, because neither weighing a tree nor guessing a trees
weight is optional with a crane lifting, an experienced crane
operator referred me to a couple of web sites he uses for
assistance estimating a trees weight. The first is at
www.wood-web.com. It has 104 types of wet and dry lumber based on
dimensional lumber sizes. The second at www.wtsherilltree.com. It
provides 32 types of logs. There are some obvious problems if these
are used to cal-culate a trees weight directly and yet they are
useful tools for the experienced opera-tor.
Trees are not just wood. There is a sig-nificant weight in
leaves, bark, roots and the soil that adheres to the roots. Darren
Allen, of Natural Resources Canada when speaking on an unrelated
matter said, Trees try to maintain equal mass above and below
ground. This doesnt mean if your tree is 35 tons above ground it is
35
tons below ground. It means that each spe-cies tries to maintain
a balance in its above and below ground mass.
If the root ball is to be lifted you have to calculate the soil
weight as a separate equation in addition to the tree weight.
Fraser Cocks of the BC Crane Safety Association said, The root ball
is a bigger issue then the wood and leaves.
Some less obvious concerns with tree weights were highlighted in
research com-piled by Michael Ter-mikaelian of Ontario Forest
Research Institute for Tree Service Canada. (More of his charts of
dry and green weight of Canadian trees are on the Tree Service
Canada web site: wwwtreeser-vicecanada.ca. These are summer weight
estimates so the foliage, bark and leaves are includednot the roots
or root ball.)
Tree weights vary by geographical region. We dont know why or
how but we do know they vary. So a pine from Florida can be very
different in weight than a pine of the same size in BC. This is why
in the charts there is a huge weight range. The weight of a tree
growing on a good site may exceed the weight of a tree growing on
an average site by 50 per cent or more.
For real accuracy you need charts with tree weight averages for
the specific species for your own location or citwhich just do not
exist.
Tree weights in charts are almost always based on forested trees
because in North America most of our research is in forestry not
landscaping. One obvious difference is forested trees usually have
significantly fewer branches (and thus weight) than landscape trees
possibly due to competi-tion. Forested trees may also have
stretched higher compared to their girth in the search for
sunlight.
The accident in Ontario was thought to be partially due to an
increased weight in the tree due to a wet season. Not only do
deciduous trees increase in weight with leaf production they also
increase and decrease in weight depending on the weather. There is
not a lot of data on how much or why tree weights vary but a
researcher in 1970 determined lodgepole pine moisture con-tent
varies from 45 per cent to 108 per cent of the oven dried weight.
We dont know if this was seasonal, weather or site related. We also
dont know if a tree is subjected to repeated drought over its life
span (mak-ing the rings tighter) will it weigh more or less than a
similar sized tree of the same species from the same region that
did not suffer recurrent drought. (For example a landscape tree
that was watered.)
Ter-Mikaelian said, I tried to approach people who have
conducted bio-mass studies with a request for their raw data. The
idea was that each study may have sampled trees in one location but
if I get data from several such studies, I may be able to do some
testing on inter-site variation. I ended up accumulating some data
but quickly discovered that this was a hopeless endeavour: many
authors have not collected basic data on tree growing condi-tions,
so the ingredients for among-site comparison were missing. Ive also
found out that a lot of data was lost, or research-ers have retired
and I could not find them, and so on. He continued, the coststime,
money, labour prevents researchers from answering all the
unknowns.
For all the problems with tree weight charts, for now, they are
all we have to esti-mate the weight of a tree. One professional
crane operator from Ontario said, Load charts help us determine
what size of crane to use. Never, never use a crane that is just
big enough. He said when called to lift a tree he often sends a
crane that is larger than the arborist ordered. . . for safety.
This increases the short term costs but a good accident rate is
worth far more.
The same operator said he refuses to lift any tree without first
lifting a limb off the specific tree and weighing it with either
the load scale or a scale added onto the boom. He then lifts a
larger limb and feels his way into the tree. The load charts, he
says, just give an estimate to indicate the size of crane
needed.
Safety in Canada is provincially man-dated so every province is
different. If in doubt ask your own insurance provider and safety
association but in Ontario and
in BC the crane operator is responsible for all that occurs from
the time the lift starts regardless of who hooks up the line or who
determines the tree weight. Thus if a tree service worker
determines the tree weight, hires a crane operator then hooks up
the line it is the crane operator who is liable and responsible for
the lift. But if a tree service worker owns and operates his own
crane and hires someone to hook up the line the tree service worker
is liable. The responsibility is not joint.
Fraser Cocks of the BC Crane Safety Association said, Crane
operation is a trade like any other and it deserves respect. The
crane industry is not understood by everyone. It requires skill.
Have the appro-priate skill and respect it. Take pride in what you
do. Educate the public. Never work against crane operators or put
them in a position where they have to compro-mise. Cultural changes
are needed because people are not aware of the issues. It is a big
industry.
Since the crane operator is responsible they have the legal
right to choose the crane size, refuse a lift or dictate how a lift
should be accomplished. Cocks says, Load charts are a tool at your
disposal. Follow the process. Eliminate issues and problem areas.
Ignorance is not a defense.
Estimating loads is key to avoiding trouble when lifting
trees
Some less obvious concerns with tree weights were highlighted in
research compiled by Michael Ter-mikaelian of Ontario Forest
Research Institute for Tree Service Canada.
PointTipping
Tree weights in charts are almost always based
on forested trees because in North America most of our
research is in forestry not landscaping.
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Page 11TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
Cover Story
Certificate of Qualification for crane operators in Ontario
range from 1,000 hours for cranes that can lift 16,000-30,000 lbs
to 6,000 hours for cranes that can lift over 30,000 lbs.
The Ontario crane operator who feels his way into trees and
never trusts load charts says he had 6,000 hours before he
completed his apprenticeship and now he has years of experience. He
believes training is the key to safety with crane operation. When
he hears about the con-cerns of other operators he says,
Inexpe-rience. When he hears about the cause of accidents he says,
Carelessness. He thinks that the problem with a recent tree
service-related crane accident in Ontario, was, Lack training.
Work Safe in BC would agree. They have a new crane testing
program based on the same principals as a standard driv-ing test.
Mobile and boom truck opera-tors who were registered before July 1,
2007 are not required to write a theory exam but they are required
to complete a practical test. All tower crane operators get both
the theory and practical exam. Like standard driving tests, the
practi-cal exam for cranes in BC is done on equipment supplied by
the worker. This increases worker comfort and keeps costs down.
For new operators in BC, apprentice-ship is still voluntary for
crane operation. Fraser Cocks of the BC Crane Safety Association
says, Where you get your knowledge is a business decision that you
make. You can do a study at home pack-age, take a course, or an
apprenticeship but you will have to pass both practical and written
(multiple choice) exams.
Brian Garry of Ontarios Ministry of Training, Colleges and
University said, In Ontario all operators of mobile cranes rated
with lifting capacity over eight tones must either have a
Certificate of Qualification, be registered as an appren-tice, or
have a provisional Certificate.
Crane operation is divided into three categories: cranes that
can lift between 16,000 and 30,000 pounds require 1,000 hours
training. (This includes 240 hours off the job training). Cranes
that lift over 30,000 pounds require 6,000 hours (including 480
hours of off the job instruction). Tower crane operators require
3,000 hours of training (with 360 hours off the job). They all
require a min-imum grade 10 education, and you can not operate a
crane during the process unless a qualified crane operator is
pres-ent. For experienced operators transfer-
ring into Ontario, the minimum standard hours is required plus a
demonstration of skills. They are then authorized to write the
examination and become certified in Ontario.
Training cant guarantee there wont be accidents. Like driving a
car when fatigued or driving while talking on the phone and
drinking a coffee. Preventing accidents requires concentration.
~PK
SK ILLS
Training, skills key to safe crane operationAuthorities
increasingly insisting of training and experience
One crane operator said he refuses to lift any tree without
first lifting a limb
off the specific tree and weighing it with either the load scale
or a scale added onto the boom. He then lifts a larger limb and
feels his way into the tree.
Like standard driving tests, the practical exam for cranes in BC
is done
on equipment supplied by the worker. This increases
worker comfort and keeps costs down.
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Page 12 TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
research
CatalogCatalog20082008
B Y J E F F R E Y C A R T E R
When the Dutch elm disease threatened, the citizens of
Fred-ericton sprang to actiona reflection of the citys remarkable
tree heritage.
We have a tree history that dates back to 1810 with the first
tree plantings and then there was the Dutch elm disease. Back in
1952, a tree commission of eight citizens and once councilor first
made plans to deal with the prob-lem when it came, City Forester
Don Murray says.
The effort led to the creation of a bylaw allowing the city to
enter onto private property to remove diseased treesat the citys
expense. In addition, sanita-tion pruning was stepped up to
maintain the general health of the little citys urban canopy.
In 1961, the first diseased tree in Fredericton was removed and
by the 1970s, the disease was running rampant across New Brunswick
but in Fredericton, itself, the battle to save elms was paying
dividends. Diagnosis and removal efforts resulted in only 4.2 per
cent of the citys elms being lost to the disease by 1975.
According to a study by Natu-ral Resource Canada (NRC),
Fredericton vs Dutch elm diseaseOngoing (and successful)
campaign began in 1952
Efforts to preserve the citys elms include pruning and, if
necessary, removal.
URBAN FORESTRY
Most of the tree crew is from the East Coast and includes
graduates from the Nova Scotia Agricul-tural College which has an
arborist component to its horticultural program.
Elms are part of Frederictons streetscape. This magnificent
specimen towers over the Justice Building.
-
Page 13TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
researchthe municipal effort saved nearly 4,000 elms, reduced
removal costs and helped stop the spread of disease.
Despite the success, pressure mounted, as areas outside New
Brunswick provincial capital were devastated.
According to the NRC, (Fredericton) was becoming a green island
in a sea of destruc-tion. Most trees were dead in the outside areas
and there was an influx of disease carrying beetles, in search of
living elm, to the city . . .
The city soldiered on, howev-er. By 1980, 80 per cent of
Fred-erictons trees were still healthy and by 1986 the annual loss
was reduced to less than one per cent.
Murray, who joined the city staff in 1985, says the high
suc-cess rate has been maintained and even improved over the years
and the effort to control the disease has become almost second
nature for the employees with the citys forestry division.
If a tree shows signs of dis-ease, we remove it . . . We still
have a lot of elms and were planting elms.
Along with tree removal and regular pruning, elm wood is chipped
to ensure that any elm bark beetle larvae that carry the disease
are destroyed.
Murray favours Valley Forge white elm nursery stock. Its reputed
to have tolerance that was developed from individual trees in North
America that managed to survive the ravages of the disease.
Elms also have of significant visual appeal and are hardy and
well-suited the rigours of city environments.
Murray works with three other forestersJohn Denovan, Mike Glynn,
and Chris Aldersalong with forest technicians and arborists. There
are about a dozen employees at the busiest time of the year. They
have 100 per cent responsibility for the municipal-itys trees and
also look after the citys docks and wharfs and help with snow
removal.
Murray says its a cost-effective approach for the city of
50,000. We planted more than 500 street trees each year and we have
well over 30,000 trees that we monitor.
Other than elms, several oak species are planted along with
sugar maple, red maple, royal red Norway maple (for the colour),
single stem serviceberry which works well under utility lines and
thorn-less hawthorns. With new plantings, adjacent homeown-ers are
asked to water the trees a couple times a week during dry
periods.
Murray says he and the tree-team members spend much of their
time doing tree mainte-
nance. As part of the disease-control strategy, elms continue to
be removed from private property at no charge.
Looking to the future, Mur-ray sees the Emerald ash borer as a
looming concern. The insect was first identified in the
Detroit/Windsor areas and has spread as far east as Montreal.
Murray says the City of Fred-ericton, with its historical
asso-ciation with Dutch elm disease, is working with both the New
Brunswick and Canadian govern-ments to help slow the movement of
the EAB threat. He favours a total ban on any movement of firewood
and nursery stock com-ing out of Ontario, among other
measures.We havent found it in Fred-
ericton but we are looking.Murray says there may be
5,000 to 7,000 ash street trees in Fredericton and another
10,000 to 15,000 along waterways and in parks in the city.
Another challenges for the citys forestry division is
employee
retention. Most of the tree crew is from the East Coast and
includes graduates from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College which
has an arborist component to its hor-ticultural program.
Employees, like Murray him-self, are also recruited from the
University of New Brunswicks forestry program.
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The high success rate in dealing with Dutch elm
disease in Fredericton has been maintained and even
improved over the years. The effort to control the
disease has become almost second nature for the
employees with the citys forestry division.
-
Page 14 TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
Alpine Machine7910 Thornburg St. S.W. Olympia, WA 98512-2368
Phone: 360-357-5116Ask for Mr Cairns
www.alpinemagnum.com
s Cuts a 24 stump in 20 minutes
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COMPANY PROFILE
It didnt take Tony Wilkinson long to set his sights
higherfiguratively and literallyafter he bought a stump-grinding
business serving the Okanogan Valley 10 years ago.
I started out as Action Stump Grinding. I bought a company from
a fellow who wanted to retire, Wilkinson says.
I always want to do something in forestry and so I said lets
grind some stumps . . . The need for tree removal showed up all the
time in my phone calls . . . Now were one of the biggest tree
service companies in the Okanogan Valley.
Wilkinson says a huge learning curve was involved. Today, he and
the employees at Action Tree Removal have gained a reputation for
taking down big and dangerous trees.
They use a 40-ton Link-Belt crane with a 150-foot reach and a
30-ton Grove crane with a 120-foot reach.
The cranes represent a hefty, up-front cost but in the long run
they save money, Wilkinson says. With a crane, hes able to place
trees where they can be easily taken apart, chipped and loaded.
When a tree is taken down by a climber, ground workers usually have
to drag the debris for a considerable distance and theres far more
cleanup involved.
It can take a bit of time to set up the crane but thats much
better (in terms of cost) than to throw-ing labour at cleaning up
the yard.
Setup is a key consideration. It may take just minutes but in
other instances an entire morning may be required, Wilkinson
says.
It boils down to getting the equipment and out-riggers level and
secure using blocks and shims.
An improperly placed outrigger will destroy a driveway . . . We
try our best not to do that but if a driveway is damaged, we will
repair it.
Naturally, there are times when traditional climbing methods
become necessary. Thats the case when theres simply no room for the
crane to be located. In other instances, the ground may be too soft
or too sloped for a safe and proper setup.
Once a crane is ready, other concerns may come into play.
Big trees are especially challenging when theyre located in a
tight spot, such as next to a building or between buildings. And
trees that have deteriorated to the point that theyre unsafe to
climb are also a concern.
Another key consideration, perhaps the most important, is tree
weight (see related story, this issue). Theres no sure way to come
up with an accurate number. That explains why tree jobs are the
last thing many crane operators want to become involved with.
Many of the crane companies that rent out cranes will not send
out a crane and operator to do tree removal . . . Those cranes are
worth a lot of money.
All trees are heavy but weights vary significantly due to a
number of factors, Wilkinson explains.
There are differences according to the species. Dead trees
normally weigh less than live trees. Slow-growing trees (those with
a higher number
of growth rings in relation to diameter) tend to be heavier but
trees with fewer rings may also be heavy when theyre loaded with
water weight. Tree weight also tends to vary on a seasonal
basis.
In response to the complexity of the situation, Wilkinson uses
his years of experience to make a ballpark estimation and errs on
the side of caution.
Based in Kelowna, Wilkinson says he provides tree service
throughout the length of the Okanogan Valley in Southern BC,
including Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, Oliver and Osoyoos. Its a
Zone 5 region with many coniferous trees such Ponderosa pine and
Douglas fir but there is also a variety of deciduous
trees including elms, maples and green ash.Wilkinson says he
takes a hands-on approach
with Action Tree. Hes also formed a partnership with a Steve
Brewer in Precision Tree Service.
Precision represents about half the business and does a lot tree
removal, pruning and consultation on upscale properties.
Along with the two owners, there are five employees. Among the
key employees are Jim Atkinson, Zane Keys and Mike Kirby.
We normally work until the snow flies which in Kelowna is around
the first of December and we start again around the first of
Marchbarring any emergency situations, Wilkinson says.
Along with his cranes, theres a 70-foot Altec bucket truck, a
Vermeer stump grinder, two Vermeer chippers, Stihl chainsaws and a
portable Wood-Mizer LT-40.
We do a lot of large tree removal and we sal-vage lumber and
anything thats not salvaged as lumber is moved to our firewood
processor and is sold by the bin.
Wilkinson says Action Tree Removal has a con-tract the City of
Kelowna for pruning, stump grind-ing and removal services. To
promote the services of both companies Wilkinson and Brewster rely
on word of mouth but also advertise extensively.
Action Tree Service reaches higherCranes speed tree removal but
require experienced operatorsB Y J E F F R E Y C A R T E R
I always want to do something in forestry and so I said lets
grind some stumps . . . The need for tree removal showed up all the
time in my phone calls . . . Now were one of the biggest tree
service compa-nies in the Okanogan Valley.
~Tony Wilkinson, Action Tree Service
-
Page 15TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
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Scenes from the Action Tree Service corporate album: company
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Page 16 TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
In my last article, I talked about bar maintenance and said that
a saw cutting crooked or curved was a result of uneven bar rails
and less to do with the cutters filing angle. I want to make a
point of clarification: while bar rails do contribute significantly
to cutting crooked, if the right hand or left hand cutters are
filed at very different angles or if most of the right or left hand
cutters are very blunt then your saw will also cut curvy.
After my last article came out I received an e-mail from Tim
Ard, who runs a successful training company called Forest
Applications, suggesting I perform an experiment and was a bit off
in my statement in the article about a saw cut-ting curved. Now,
before I go on, I have to tell you something about Tim. He was the
first person who really educated me about chainsaws. He is my
mentor and I have a lot of respect for his knowledge about saws and
people.
I met Tim many years ago and had the privilege of taking courses
from him in the early 1990s; he challenged my beliefs about felling
and taught me the
art of blending training and education as it pertains to
chainsaws. Simply put, I owe a lot to Tim Ard.
So you might imagine how I felt when I received the following
email from Tim:
Hi Dwayne, Ive been reading your saw articles in Tree Service
Canada. The recent one on bar maintenance and your statement that
teeth may not be the culprit on banana cuts caught my
attention.
An assignment for you. . . Take a new bar. Next file the points
of the cutters on one side, the right or left side, to a state of
dull with a flat file. Now try to see if you can cut with-out a
banana cut. Irregular top plate angles or lower depth gauges on one
side will produce the banana shape also. If the chain is right it
really doesnt ride on the bar rails unless pressure is applied.
Uneven bar rails will cause bananas and also bent bars but probably
80 percent of what I see is chain related
causing tropical fruit shapes. Good Sawing, Tim Ard President
Forest Applications Training, Inc.
I immediately responded to Tim and we caught up on old times, I
thanked him for his feedback and told him I would mention it in my
next article.
Hello Tim, great to hear from you, I want to thank-you for
taking time to write me, I do appreciate it and I want to tell you
that I feel that I learned more about saws and cutting from you
than anyone else in my career thus far. Obviously, I need to keep
learning more.
This letter from you I take seriously and I value your input. I
do under-stand that bad filing is also a con-tributor I have found
that for me in most cases I have contributed banana cutting to
uneven bar rails. Of course, teeth as way off as you describe would
have the same result. In my next article, I intend to refer to your
comments and I will be sure to clear up any confusion. I am also
curious about what you mean when you say the chain does not really
ride on the bar rails, I know it porpoises along but I also know
that uneven rails causes cutting problems.
Dwayne
Tims response:Dwayne, The chain rises off the bar when
the tooth engages the wood then returns to the rail. If the
tooth is cut-ting correctly, and about every third tooth really
cuts as it passes a given spot, then it returns to the rail. If the
loop is cutting consistently, the chain is lifted off the rails and
is pulling out chips. As you know not everything is going to work,
exactly as planned
so there is some inefficiencies. When pressure is applied, the
chain is in contact with the rails.
Tim
I want to point out that this is an example of two people
respecting each other and be willing to take time and energy to
expand the mental toolbox. My training organization builds on this
foun-
dation and it is one of the focuses in our instructor
certification program.
I admire and respect Tim because of his willingness to share and
continue to train and mentor. As a result, I have learned more and
am sharing it with you.
Tim Ard you are an excellent instruc-tor, thank-you!
My intention in this article is to share something more about
the importance of bar maintenance and proper sharpen-ing, and with
this, it finalizes my series on these subjects.
I also wanted to emphasize the impor-tance of being willing to
learn from others and being open-minded. I thought this article
would be a good lead-in from main-tenance into my next series on
tree felling techniques.
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All prices are f.o.b. Mpls
Of banana cuts, bars, mentors & learningWherein our
columnist hears from a mentor, and has to rethink his knowledge
Straight cuts require proper filing as well as a well-maintained
bar.
Ive been reading your saw articles in Tree Service Canada.
The recent one on bar mainte-nance and your statement that teeth
may not be the culprit on
banana cuts caught my attention.
~ email from Tim Ard, Forest Applications, to
Tree Service Canada columnist Dwayne Neustaeter
-
Page 17TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
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AscenTree Double-handled arborist rope clamp
Designed for ascending double ropes in trees using the footlock
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prevent rubbing Large handles can be used with thick gloves
Lower holes for connecting a Spelegy lanyard and installing
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diameterCertification: CEIndividually tested. Weight: 390 gFor more
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Rated at 59Hp, this tractor is the companys most powerful
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Visit www.kubota.ca for more information and dealer
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AscenTrees new double-han-dled rope clamp is designed for
ascending double ropes in trees using the footlock technique or
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Quick release is a feature of new Task tie downs
At 59Hp, the Kubota M59 tractor is the companys most powerful
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Page 18 TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
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Tree Health
B Y PAT K E R R
eech bark disease, or BBD, is one of those conditions that
arrived in Canada over cen-tury ago when the country was just
waking up to the need to plant and reforest. It is thought
the canker arrived on ornamental or European beech seedlings
(Fagus Sylvatica). However, it is only recently that we learned of
the dangers of this disease, as it gains momentum, and solutions
are sought. There is a tremendous amount of informa-tion about this
disease that is still conjecture.
American or native beech, (Fagus grandifolia) is a magnificent
shade tree of Eastern Canada and the US. Its smooth bluish grey
bark is distinctive in the forest and as a landscape tree. Its nuts
are an important mast species for blue jays, squirrels and black
bear. There is some indication that in mature beech dominant areas
nut production is related to black bear cub survival rates as bears
climb for this autumn protein. In disease prone areas the spindly
trees wont support a bears weight and squirrels get
the nutrients.BBD is a complex that starts with an exotic
sap feeding scale insect, Cryptococcus fagisuga. This scale
insect, it is thought, feeds on the living tissue under the bark
preferring high nitrogen phloem. The holes left by the insect
feeding are then infected by different native fungi. There is
indication an exotic fungi contributes to the complex but this is
not proved. Eventually the tree is girdled, breaks off or dies
back.
Beech is not in any danger of extinction because it spreads by
root sprouts or suckers. When the mature tree breaks off, sprouts
grow up. Howev-er, these saplings, genetically identical to the
original tree, are quickly infected and deformed never reach-ing
full size. The result is a forest or landscape tree that no longer
contributes to the environment as a majestic late succession, shade
tolerant, long-lived tree producing bumper crops of seed. Instead
it becomes straggly distorted trees or bushes that often produce
little seed while out competing, other ben-eficial species and
perpetuating the disease.
Warm Winters Spreading Beech Bark DiseaseNo danger of extinction
but perpetually deformed trees a possibility
Advice from experts is straight forward and positive. Do not
clear cut the good/healthy trees. These are the hope for the
future. In ornamentals, blast the insect scale with a detergent
solution.
B
-
Page 19TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
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In New Brunswick, where BBD arrived early, 95.8 per cent of the
beech are con-sidered very badly damaged. The current front is
Georgian Bay in Ontario.
Judy Loo of Natural Resources Canada at the Atlantic Forestry
Center is on the trail of naturally resistant native beech. Where
ever there is beech a few are untouched by the disease, she says.
There is high probability that she has identified resistant beech
based on green house experiments. Field trials continue for testing
under natural condi-tions. The continuing challenge is reproduction
of the trees.
Judy and her American counter parts are working with trees that
appear to be resistant to the insect as opposed to those resistant
to the fungi. Grafting is success-ful for testing resistance in the
lab. Large scale commercial propagation is still not an option. In
nature, beech produce large amounts of seed only after age thirty
and bum-per crops are irregular depending on weather but the
grafted trees are in flower in two to three years However, the
disease resistance is not dependent on a single gene. This means
the seed from resistant trees may not produce resistant off
spring.
Foresters on both sides of the border are making requests for a
native resistant beech to restore the balance in their regions.
With the need for beech developing throughout the east researchers
are striving to find and preserve the genetics of trees from all
the tree zones where beech is native. Jennifer Koch says, Forest
managers need a tool to use on the killing front of the
disease.
Working with Judy, Jennifer Koch of the USDA is seeking both the
DNA and proteins that potentially travel with the BBD resistant
trait. In one of her experiments she took 14 potentially resistant
Canadian tree samples, two American and five samples from
susceptible trees. She sorted the phloem samples by two physical
characteristics of the proteins. These were the size and the
electrical charge. She is comparing similarities in the resistant
trees and differences to the non resistant trees. She expects the
second stage of her work will be done in a few months. But the
final ability to distinguish a resistant tree from a non resistant
tree? If I get lucky, she replies, her voice trails off and there
is no answer.
Beech is not like ash or American chestnut. Native resistance
does exist and it is believed to exist within all regional
variations.
Judy says, We think warmer winters have increased scale
populations in New Brunswick. Her advice is straight forward and
positive. In woodlots do not clear cut the good/healthy trees.
These are the hope for the future. In ornamentals, blast the insect
scale with a detergent solution. On the NRCan web site it is
suggested to apply a dilute solution of bleach to kill the fungus
on the bark. As no one has completed work on these measures the
dosage, dilution, and success rates are not known.
In the days before BBD, Judys grandmothers home was built with
beech flooring. A century and a half later it still holds up well.
In Canada the tree is no longer consid-ered an economic species and
many Canadian kids cant identify a beech leaf. It was a magnificent
tree with a multitude of commercial uses, and magnificent lawn
ornamental but its been reduced to firewood.
It is thought the beech bark canker arrived on ornamental or
European beech seed-lings (Fagus Sylvatica).
Beech is not in any danger of extinction because it spreads by
root
sprouts or suckers. When the mature tree breaks off, sprouts
grow
up. However, these saplings, genetically identical to the
original
tree, are quickly infected and deformed never reaching full
size.
-
Page 20 TREE SERVICE CANADA Winter 2008/2009
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The growing public recognition for the importance of trees is
something the City of Barries urban forester appreciates well.
Over the past 25 years, Barrie has been among the fastest
growing cities in Canada, more than doubling in size to more than
130,000 residents since 1990, Kevin Rankin says.
Thatalong with the devastating tornado that struck the city in
1985has made the maintenance of the citys urban forest a
significant challenge.
Fortunately, city council has made some good decisions over the
years. Giving trees a top priority in new subdivisions was one.
Developers have to go through a tree permit process that
includes a tree preserva-tion plan. Most of the new subdivi